Human body washing device

ABSTRACT

A device for washing a user with a washing liquid, including a longitudinally extending, open topped vessel having a mat member for supporting the user lying thereon. The mat member is provided with a multiplicity of openings for permitting the washing liquid to pass therethrough. A cover member defining an open space is rotatably secured to the vessel and is displaceable between an open position and a closed position where the cover member engages with the vessel such that the body of the user lying on the mat member is accommodated within the open space of the cover member. The cover member has a front opening such that, when the cover member is in the closed position, the neck of the user lying on the mat member is loosely fitted in the front opening with the head of the user being projected from the cover member. Upper and lower liquid injection nozzles are disposed above and below the mat member for injecting the washing liquid toward the user lying on the mat member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates generally to a device for washing a humanbody (user) and, more specifically, to a body washer adapted to inject awashing liquid such as warm water through a plurality of nozzles towardthe user lying on a mat of the washer.

[0002] JP-A-8-22303 discloses a body washer as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.In FIGS. 23 and 24, designated generally as 1 is a body washer includinga washing chamber 5 made of a soft material such as air bags 7, and asupport 2 for supporting the washing chamber 5 thereon. The support 2 iscomposed of a longitudinally extending, rectangular, hard plastic ormetal plate 3 and height adjustable legs 4. The air chamber 5 iscomposed of a mat for supporting a user 15 thereon and a longitudinallyextending cover 6 having a U-shaped cross-section. The cover 6 has aplurality of windows 8 each covered with a flexible transparent sheethaving a slit 9 through which an assisting person can insert a hand fortouching the user 15. The front and rear openings of the cover 6 areeach covered with a curtain (not shown). Secured to a ceiling portion ofthe cover 6 is a flexible -tube 12 provided with a plurality ofinjection nozzles 13. The tube 12 longitudinally extends inside thecover 6 and is connected to a washing liquid source through a pump (notshown). Designated as 10 is a fastener along which the cover 6 may bedivided into halves. The divided halves can be opened as shown by thetwo-dotted line in FIG. 24, so that the interior surfaces of the covercan be easily cleaned and disinfected after use.

[0003] In use, the fastener 10 is closed to form the washing chamber 5as shown in FIG. 23. The user 15 is placed on the mat 11 supported onthe plate 3 of the support 2. The washing liquid is then injecteddownward through the nozzles 13 for washing the user 15.

[0004] The above device has merits that the cover 6 can be folded afterdeaeration of the air bags 7 and that the washing can be carried out insafe manner, but suffers from the following defects. First, it isnecessary to use a specifically designed stretcher to place the user 15in the washing chamber 5. Further, since the longitudinally extendingstretcher on which the user 15 lies is introduced into the washingchamber 5 through the opening at one longitudinal end thereof, thewasher 1 cannot be used in a small room. Second, since the washingliquid is showered only downward, it is necessary to turn the user 15upside down in order to wash both sides of the body. Third, cleaning ofthe interior of the washing chamber 5 requires a large space so as tospread the cover 6 after the opening of the fastener 10. Fourth, thetemperature and the flow rate of the warm water discharged from thenozzles 13 are apt to change when the water pressure of the city wateris varied.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide awashing device which is devoid of the above-described defects of theconventional washer.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a washingdevice which requires only a small installation space.

[0007] It is a further object of the present invention to provide awashing device of the above-mentioned type, which can efficiently wash auser within a short period of time.

[0008] There is provided in accordance with the present invention adevice for washing a user with a washing liquid, comprising:

[0009] a longitudinally extending, open topped vessel;

[0010] a longitudinally extending mat member having front and rear endsand generally horizontally received in said vessel to define a lowerspace therebelow, said mat member having a longitudinal lengthsufficient for supporting said user lying thereon along the longitudinaldirection thereof with the head of said user being placed near saidfront end thereof, said mat member being provided with a multiplicity ofopenings for permitting the washing liquid to pass therethrough;

[0011] a cover member having a longitudinally extending top wall member,a pair of opposing front and rear wall members and a pair of opposingside wall members, said top wall, front wall, rear wall and side wallmembers being connected to define an upper space therebetween;

[0012] said cover member being displaceable between an open position anda closed position where said cover member engages with said vessel suchthat the body of said user lying on said mat member is accommodatedwithin said upper space of said cover member;

[0013] said front wall member having a front opening such that, whensaid cover member is in said closed position, the neck of said userlying on said mat member is loosely fitted in said front opening withthe head of said user being projected from said cover member; and

[0014] upper and lower liquid injection means disposed within said upperand lower spaces, respectively, for injecting the washing liquid towardsaid user lying on said mat member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Other objects, features and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent from the detailed description of the preferredembodiments of the invention which follows, when considered in light ofthe accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 is an elevational view diagrammatically showing oneembodiment of a body washer according to the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the body washer ofFIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a plan view of a frame constituting a mat member of thebody washer of FIG. 1;

[0020]FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing a connectionstructure of a cover member and the mat of the body washer of FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the connection structure of FIG. 5;

[0022]FIG. 7 is an enlarged elevational view of a front portion of avessel of the body washer of FIG. 1;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a plan view of FIG. 7;

[0024]FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a side opening of the body washer ofFIG. 1 as seen from inside thereof;

[0025]FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line X-X in FIG. 9;

[0026]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a pipe connection arrangement of thebody washer of FIG. 1;

[0027]FIG. 12 is an elevational view diagrammatically showing a secondembodiment of a body washer according to the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 13 is a front view of the body washer of FIG. 12;

[0029]FIG. 14 is a back view of the body washer of FIG. 12;

[0030]FIG. 15 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing a thirdembodiment of a body washer according to the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 16 illustrates a state of the body washer of FIG. 15 in whicha cover is open;

[0032]FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a mat of the body washer ofFIG. 15;

[0033]FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a cover of the body washerof FIG. 15;

[0034]FIG. 19 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing a mat and acover of a fourth embodiment of a body washer according to the presentinvention;

[0035]FIG. 20 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing a fifthembodiment of a body washer according to the present invention;

[0036]FIG. 21 is a fragmentary elevational view of a state of the bodywasher of FIG. 20 in which a cover is open;

[0037]FIG. 22 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing a sixthembodiment of a body washer according to the present invention;

[0038]FIG. 23 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing a knownbody washer with a support being deleted; and

[0039]FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional, front elevational view of the bodywasher of FIG. 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0040] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, designated generally as 20 is awashing device for washing a user, such as patient, 15. The washingdevice 20 includes a longitudinally extending, open topped vessel 21 anda longitudinally extending mat member 24 having front and rear ends andgenerally horizontally received in the vessel 21 to define a lower spacetherebelow. The mat member 24 has a longitudinal length sufficient forsupporting the user 15 lying thereon along the longitudinal directionthereof with the head of the user 15 being placed near the front endthereof and is provided with a multiplicity of openings for permitting awashing liquid to pass therethrough.

[0041] Designated as 29 is a cover member having a longitudinallyextending top wall, a pair of opposing front and rear walls and a pairof opposing side walls. The top wall, front wall, rear wall and sidewalls are connected to define an upper space therewithin. The covermember 29 is displaceable between an open position as shown by thetwo-dotted line in FIGS. 1 and 2 and a closed position where the covermember 29 engages with the vessel 21 such that the body of the user 15lying on the mat member 24 is accommodated within the upper space of thecover member 29.

[0042] The front wall of the cover member 29 has a front opening 30 suchthat, when the cover member 29 is in the closed position, the neck ofthe user 15 lying on the mat member 24 is loosely fitted in the frontopening 30 with the head of the user 15 being projected from the covermember 29. Designated as 34 is a front cover such as a curtain to closethe gap of the front opening 30 surrounding the neck of the user 15.

[0043] Upper liquid injection means including a pipe 47 and a pluralityof nozzles 48 is disposed within the upper space of the cover member 29,while lower liquid injection means including a pipe 45 and a pluralityof nozzles 46 is disposed within the lower space of the vessel 21, forinjecting the washing liquid toward the user 15 lying on the mat member24. The pipe 47 is connected to a washing liquid feed hose 51 through aflexible pipe 49, while pipe 45 is directly connected to the feed hose51.

[0044] The vessel 21 is provided with a liquid discharging port 28 at abottom thereof for discharging the used washing liquid from the vessel21. Designated as 27 are casters secured to the underside of the vessel21 so that the wheeled washer 20 is easily movable in any desireddirection. Each of the vessel 21 and the cover member 29 is desirablyformed of a light weight and high mechanical strength material such as afoamed resin, e.g. a foamed urethane resin.

[0045] A hand shower 50 for washing the head of the user 15 lying on themember 24 is preferably provided. The hand shower 50 has a shower head50 b connected to an end of a flexible washing liquid feed tube 50 aextending through the vessel 21. The feed tube 50 a is connected to thefeed pipe 45 and may be extended from and retracted in the vessel 21.The hand shower 50 is provided with a switching valve (not shown) tostop and permit the feed of the washing liquid.

[0046] The vessel 21 has a front detachable section 21 b at a locationin front of the front wall of the cover member 29 located in the closedposition. FIG. 7 depicts the front section 21 b detached from a mainsection 21 a of the vessel 21. The front section 21 b has a halvedbowl-like shape and is provided with a groove 23 in the outer peripherythereof. The groove 23 is engageable with an arcuate front edge 22 (FIG.2) of a main body 21 a of the vessel 21 so that the front section 21 bis detachably secured thereto. As shown in FIG. 8, the front section 21b of the vessel 21 has a concave portion 52 for receiving the showerhead 50 b of the hand shower 50. During transportation or non-use stage,the front section 21 can be thus detached from the main section 21 a.

[0047] One preferred structure for rotatably securing the cover member29 to the vessel 21 will be next described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4,5, 6 and 10. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 10, the mat member 24 includesgenerally rectangular frame means 25 having a pair of opposinglongitudinally extending side frames and a pair of opposing front frameand rear frame 25 a, and a net 26 supported by the frame means 25 forsupporting the user 15 thereon. The mat member 24 is generallyhorizontally received in the vessel 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the vessel21 has a plurality of stays 36 at upper portions of the inside wall onboth sides thereof. Each of the stays 36 has a U-shaped groove 36 a forfitting engagement with the side frame so that the stays 36 support theframe means 25 thereon. Thus, the mat member 24 is detachably mounted inthe vessel 21. The frame means 25 of the mat member 24 when engaged bythe stays 36 also serves to function as a reinforcing member for thevessel 21. As shown in FIG. 4, the front frame of the frame means 25 isprovided with a seat 37 made of a metal on which a head rest 38 (FIG. 2)is secured for supporting the head of the user 15 thereon.

[0048] A pair of brackets 39 (FIG. 4) are welded to the rear frame 25 aof the frame means 25 for rotatably supporting the cover member 29. Asshown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a U-shaped reinforcing pipe 40 having attachingmembers 41 is fixed to an inside wall of the covering member 29 withscrews fitted into holes of the attaching members 41. A pair of brackets42 each provided with an attaching member 41 are welded to thereinforcing pipe 40. The attaching member 41 of each of the bracket 42is fixed with screws to a rear inside wall of the cover member 29. Thebrackets 42 of the reinforcing pipe 40 are connected through shafts orpins 43 to the brackets 39 of the frame means 25, so that the covermember 29 is rotatably connected to the mat member 24.

[0049] As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, each of the side walls of thecover member 29 is provided with two side openings 31 so that anassisting person can insert an arm therethrough to touch the user 15lying on the mat member 24 when the cover member 29 is in the closedposition. Each of the side openings is covered with a cover sheet member32. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the cover sheet member 32 includes apair of upper and lower flexible sheets 32-1 and 32-2 overlapping eachother at a middle portion of the side opening 31. Each of the upper andlower flexible sheets 32-1 and 32-2 has a periphery supported by anendless resilient string, such as a rubber string, 33 (33 a and 33 b)which in turn is supported with a tension by four pins (35 a, 35 a, 35 cand 35 c; and 35 b, 35 b, 35 d and 35 d) fixed to the side wall of thecover member 29 along an edge portion of the side opening 31 such thatthe lower edge 32-1 a of the upper flexible sheet 32-1 is locatedoutside while the upper edge 32-2 a of the lower flexible sheet 32-2 islocated inside. As a result of the above-construction, the assistingperson can insert an arm 16 thereof through the overlapping portion ofthe flexible sheets 32-1 and 32-2 as shown by the two-dotted line inFIG. 10, while minimizing the gap around the arm 16, i.e. minimizing theleakage of steam or water out of the washer.

[0050] The washing liquid feed hose 51 is connected to a washing liquidsupplying device 55 as shown in FIG. 11. A first pump 57 is connected toa hot water source (boiler) 56 for increasing the pressure of hot watersupplied thereto to a predetermined pressure of, for example, above 3.0kg/cm², while a second pump 58 is connected to a water source forincreasing the pressure of water supplied thereto to, for example, above3 kg/cm². The pumps 57 and 58 are connected to pressure controllingvalves 59 and 60, respectively, for controlling the pressure of the hotwater fed from the first pump 57 and the pressure of the water fed fromthe second pump 58, respectively, to a predetermined pressure of, forexample, 2.5 kg/cm². First and second flow switches 57 a and 58 a areinterposed between the first pump 57 and the pressure controlling valve59 and between the second pump 58 and the pressure controlling valve 60,respectively, and are operable to stop respective pumps 57 and 58 whenthe flow rate of the water and hot water passing therethrough is below apredetermined value.

[0051] Designated as 61 is a mixer connected to the pressure controllingvalves 59 and 60 for mixing the water having a controlled pressure withthe hot water having a controlled pressure in a suitable mixing ratio toobtain warm water having a predetermined temperature of, for example,about 43° C. The mixing ratio can be manually set as desired. The warmwater is then fed through the feed pipe 64 to the feed hose 51.

[0052] A high temperature sensor 62 and a shut off valve (solenoidvalve) 63 are disposed in the feed pipe 64. The sensor 62 is adapted fordetecting the temperature of the warm water discharged from the mixer61. When the temperature of the warm water detected by the sensor 62exceeds a predetermined maximum value, for example 45° C., the shut offvalve 63 electrically coupled to the sensor 62 is operated for stoppingthe passage of the warm water therethrough.

[0053] Switching valves 65, 66 and 67 are connected in parallel to thefeed pipe 64. The valve 65 is connected to the feed hose 51. The valves66 and 67 have outlet sides connected through mixers 66 a and 67 a of anejector type to the feed hose 51. The mixers 66 a and 67 a haverespective suction ports connected to a sterilizing liquid tank 70 and abody shampoo tank 71 through suction hoses 68 and 69, respectively. Whena desired one of the valves 66 and 67 is opened, the desired one of thesterilizing liquid and the shampoo is mixed with the warm water in themixer 66 a or 67 a and the mixture is fed through the feed hose 51.Thus, warm water with or without the shampoo or sterilizing liquid isfed through the feed hose 51 and the pipes 45 and 47 and injectedthrough the nozzles 46 and 48. In this case, the hand shower 50 can beused for washing the hair of the user 15 by opening the shower valve(not shown). The used washing liquid after washing the body and hair ofthe user 15 is collected in the bottom of the vessel 21 and dischargedthrough the port 26.

[0054] A low temperature sensor 72 and a switching valve 73 are disposedin the feed hose 51. The sensor 72 is adapted to detect the temperatureof the warm water passing therethrough. When the temperature of the warmwater in the sensor 72 is below a predetermined minimum value, forexample 37° C., the valve 73 electrically coupled to the sensor 73 isoperated for switching the passage of the warm water from feed hose 51to a discharge side. When the temperature is not lower than the minimumvalue, the switching valve 73 directs the warm water toward the feedhose 51.

[0055] An automatic discharging valve 75 of a spring-biased type isconnected to the feed hose 51 to release the warm water therefrom whenthe pressure therewithin is below a predetermined pressure. Theautomatic discharging valve 75 is closed by the pressure generated inthe feed hose 51 when the switching valves are so shifted as to feed thewarm water from the feed pipe 64 to the feed hose 51, thereby permittingthe warm water to be injected through the nozzles 46 and 48. When thepressure within the feed hose 51 is lowered to atmospheric pressure dueto the close of the manual switching valve 65 or the shifting of theswitching valve 73 to the discharge side, the automatic dischargingvalve 75 opens so that the warm water within the feed hose 51 and feedpipes 45 and 47 is discharged therefrom through a drain pipe, since thenozzles 46 and 48 are in fluid communication with the atmosphere. Thus,since the retaining of the water in the feed hose 51 and the pipes 45and 47 is prevented during the non-operating stage, the liquid initiallyinjected from the nozzles 46 and 48 is not the water cooled during theretaining in the feed hose 51 but is warm water freshly supplied throughthe feed pipes 64.

[0056]FIGS. 12 through 14 illustrate a second embodiment of a bodywasher 80 according to the present invention. The body washer 80 has alongitudinally extending vessel-like frame 81 made of a hard plasticmaterial. A mat member 83 having a net is provided at the top opening ofthe frame 81 for supporting a user 15 lying thereon. A shallow openended vessel 82 is disposed in the frame 81 for collecting a washingliquid used for washing the user 15.

[0057] Disposed below the vessel 82 in the frame 81 is a washing liquidfeeding device 84 including pumps, valves and mixers and connected to awarm water feed pipe 85. The washing liquid containing warm water and,optionally, a shampoo liquid or a sterilizing liquid is fed to feedpipes 86 and 86b and injected upward and downward through nozzles 87, 91and 91 a. Designated as 88 is a hand shower connected to the feed pipe86 through a manual switching valve (not shown).

[0058] Mounted on the vessel-like frame 81 is a cover supporting framemember 90 including a vertical cylindrical rod 90 a extending from onecorner of the vessel-like frame 81, a lateral cylindrical rod 90 bextending horizontally from a top end of the vertical rod 50 a andterminating at the lateral center of the vessel-like frame 81, and alongitudinal cylindrical rod 90 c extending horizontally from theterminal end of the lateral rod 90 b. The above-mentioned feed pipe 86 bis connected to the cylindrical rod 90 a and the nozzles 91 and 91 a areattached to the longitudinal rod 90 c. The nozzle 91 a is provided witha manual switching valve 92. The washing liquid feeding device 84 may bereplaced by the feeding device 55 described in the above firstembodiment.

[0059] A cover member 95 made of a transparent hard plastic is rotatablysupported by the supporting frame member 90. The cover member 95 islongitudinally divided into halves 95 a and 95 b each rotatablysupported by the longitudinal rod 90 c. Each of the halves 95 a and 95 bhas a front wall 95 c which defines a front opening 96 when positionedin a closed state as shown in FIG. 13. The neck of the user 15 isloosely fitted into the front opening 96. The rear end of each of thehalves 95 a and 95 b opens and is provided with a water-repellentcurtain 97.

[0060] Each side of the cover member 95 is provided with side openings98 each covered with a curtain 99 made of a plurality of foamed urethaneresin thin plates detachably secured at an upper edge portion of theside opening 98 and inwardly rotatable independently from each other. Anassisting person can touch the user 15 by inserting a hand thereofthrough the curtain 99.

[0061] A leg supporting device 100 is provided for supporting andmaintaining a leg of the user 15 at an elevated position to facilitatethe flow of the blood of the user 15. The supporting device 100 includesa vertical supporting rod secured to the vessel-like frame 81 and havingan upper bent portion to which rollers 103 is secured. A rope 102 havingone end provided with a leg holder 104 is wound around the rollers 103and guide rollers 105. The other free end of the rope 102 can be fixedto a lower portion of the vertical supporting rod. Thus, by drawing therope 102 downward after engagement of a leg of the user 15 with theholder 104, the leg is hoisted up as shown in FIG. 12. The referencenumeral 106 designates a caster for displacing the washer and 107designates a handle for use in displacing the washer.

[0062] In the above second embodiment, the halves 95 a and 95 b of thecover member 95 may be opened by rotating same as shown by the arrow inFIG. 13. Thus, it is possible to place the user 15 on the mat member 83from any desired side of the washer. After placing the user 15 on themat member 83, the cover member 95 is closed and the washing liquid feeddevice 84 is operated to inject the washing liquid toward the user 15.

[0063] FIGS. 15-18 illustrate a third embodiment of a body washer 110according to the present invention. The body washer 110 has a wheeledsupport 111 on which a longitudinally extending semicylindrical vessel114 made of a hard plastic material is supported by supporting arms 113such that the height thereof can be adjusted. The support 111 isprovided with four wheels 112 so that the washer 110 can be easilydisplaced. A mat member 115 having a net is provided at the top openingof the vessel 114 for supporting a user 15 lying thereon. Front and rearends of the vessel 114 are closed with front and rear walls 114 a and114 b.

[0064] The mat member 115 has a front portion 115 a integrally connectedto an upper part of the vessel 114 with the remainder portion thereofbeing freed from the vessel 114 by forming a slit 116 around theperiphery thereof. A pair of front and rear, semicircular guide grooves117 and 118 are formed in the vessel 114. A cover member 120 made of atransparent hard plastic material and having a smooth curvedsemicircular surface is rotatably secured to the vessel 114 such thatthe cover member 120 can rotate about a longitudinal axis coincidingwith the center axis of the semicircular guide grooves 117 and 118between a closed position as shown in FIG. 15 and an open position wherethe cover member 120 is received in the vessel 114.

[0065] Namely, as shown in FIG. 18, the cover member 120 has a bodyportion 120 a of semicylindrical shape and a front wall 120 b providedwith a front opening 121. The neck of the user 15 is loosely fitted intothe front opening 121. The cover member 120, when rotated, is fittedinto the slit 116 with the front and rear ends thereof being engagedwith the guide grooves 117 and 118 preferably through rollers or balls(not shown) received in the grooves 117 and 118. The rear end of thecover member 120 is provided with a reinforcing pillar 122 to which acrank handle 123 is fixed at the center thereof. The crank handle isrotatably received in both a bracket 124 formed on a rear end of the matmember 115 and a bracket 125 formed on a rear end of the vessel 114(FIG. 17) so that the rear free end of the mat member 115 is supportedby the rear wall 114 b of the vessel 114 through the crank handle 123.Each side of the cover member 120 is provided with side openings 126each covered with a cover sheet member 32 similar to the firstembodiment. An assisting person can touch the user 15 by inserting ahand thereof through the cover sheet member 32. Designated as 88 is ahand shower for washing the hair of the user 15. Although not shown, thebody washer is provided with a washing liquid feed device, injectionnozzles, etc. similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0066] In the above third embodiment, the cover member 120 may be openedby rotating the crank handle 123. In a fully opened state, the covermember 120 is fully received in the vessel 114, so that it is possibleto place the user 15 on the mat member 115 from any desired side of thewasher 110. After placing the user 15 on the mat member 115, the covermember 120 is closed as shown in FIG. 15 and the washing liquid feeddevice is operated to inject the washing liquid toward the user 15.

[0067]FIG. 19 depicts a fourth embodiment of the body washer accordingto the present invention. In FIG. 19, the same reference numerals asthose in FIGS. 15-18 designate similar component parts. The fourthembodiment is similar to the third embodiment but differs therefrom in astructure for the rotation of the cover member 120. Front and rear endsof the outer periphery of the cover plate 120 are provided with drivengears 127 which are meshed with a pair of small diameter drive gears 129secured to a transmission shaft 128 having a crank handle 130. Byrotating the handle 130, the drive gears 129 rotates so that the covermember 120 is rotated between the closed position and open position. Thecrank handle 130 may be replaced by a motor.

[0068]FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate a fifth embodiment of a body washer 134according to the present invention. Similar to the second embodiment,the body washer 134 has a longitudinally extending vessel-like frame 135and a mat member 83 for supporting a user 15 lying thereon. A pair oflaterally spaced apart brackets 136 are fixedly secured to rear portionsof the vessel-like frame 135. Each of the brackets 136 is provided witha vertically extending slot 137 into which a laterally extending rod orpin 138 is inserted. A pair of extendible and retractable supportingarms 139 have an end portions rotatably secured about respective pins138. The other end of each supporting arm 139 is fixed to rear portionof the cover member 140, so that the cover member 140 is rotatable aboutthe pin 138 between an open position as shown in FIG. 21 and a closedposition as shown in FIG. 20.

[0069] The supporting arm 139 is composed of a large diameter section139 a whose base portion is connected to the pin 138 and a smalldiameter section 139 b having one end slidably fitted into the largediameter section 139 a so that the length of the supporting arm 139 canbe adjusted. The other end of the small diameter section 139 b isconnected to a rear end of a cover member 140 made of a transparent hardplastic material and having a semicircular cross-section. Similar to thethird embodiment, side openings 126 each provided with a cover sheetmember 32 are formed on both sides of the cover member 140. Although notshown, the body washer 134 is provided with a washing liquid feeddevice, injection nozzles, etc. similar to those of the firstembodiment.

[0070] In the above fifth embodiment, the cover member 140 may be openedwhen rotated in the direction A as shown in FIG. 21. In a fully openedstate, it is possible to place the user 15 on the mat member 83 fromfront or either side of the washer 134. After placing the user 15 on themat member 83, the cover member 140 is closed as shown in FIG. 20 andthe washing liquid feed device is operated to inject the washing liquidtoward the user 15. The washer 134 can be used in a room having a lowceiling or a narrow room. In the former room, the pin 138 is lowered andthe supporting arm 139 is extended as illustrated by the two-dotted linein FIG. 21. In the latter room, the pin 138 is adjusted at a highposition and the supporting arm 139 is retracted as shown by the solidline in FIG. 21.

[0071]FIG. 22 illustrates a sixth embodiment of a body washer 142according to the present invention. Similar to the second and fifthembodiments, the body washer 142 has a longitudinally extendingvessel-like frame 143 and a mat member 83 for supporting a user 15 lyingthereon. A cover member 146 is rotatably secured to the frame 143.Namely, the vessel-like frame 143 has a rear end portion provided with abracket 144. A pin 145 is received in the bracket 144. A rear endportion of the cover member 146 is rotatably connected to the pin 145.The cover member 146 is composed of a front, large diameter portion 146b and a rear, small diameter portion 146 a slidably fitted in the largediameter portion 146 b. Thus, the cover member 146 is longitudinallyextendible (as shown by the solid line) and shrinkable (as shown by thetwo-dotted line).

[0072] In the above sixth embodiment, the cover member 146 may be openedwhen rotated in the direction A, while sliding the front portion 146 brelative to the rear portion 146 a. In a fully opened state, it ispossible to place the user 15 on the mat member 83 from front or eitherside of the washer 134. Further, since the cover member 146 isshrinkable, the washer 142 can be used in a room having a low ceiling.After placing the user 15 on the mat member 83, the cover member 146 isclosed, while being extended. The washing liquid feed device is operatedto inject the washing liquid toward the user 15.

[0073] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Thepresent embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all the changes which come within the meaning and rangeof equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embracedtherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for washing a user with a washingliquid, comprising: a longitudinally extending, open topped vessel; alongitudinally extending mat member having front and rear ends andgenerally horizontally received in said vessel to define a lower spacetherebelow, said mat member having a longitudinal length sufficient forsupporting said user lying thereon along the longitudinal directionthereof with the head of said user being placed near said front endthereof, said mat member being provided with a multiplicity of openingsfor permitting the washing liquid to pass therethrough; a cover memberhaving a longitudinally extending top wall member, a pair of opposingfront and rear wall members and a pair of opposing side wall members,said top wall, front wall, rear wall and side wall members beingconnected to define an upper space therebetween; said cover member beingdisplaceable between an open position and a closed position where saidcover member engages with said vessel such that the body of said userlying on said mat member is accommodated within said upper space of saidcover member; said front wall member having a front opening such that,when said cover member is in said closed position, the neck of said userlying on said mat member is loosely fitted in said front opening withthe head of said user being projected from said cover member; and upperand lower liquid injection means disposed within said upper and lowerspaces, respectively, for injecting the washing liquid toward the userlying on said mat member.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1 , whereineach of said upper and lower liquid injection means includes a pluralityof longitudinally spaced apart injection nozzles.
 3. A device as claimedin claim 1 , further comprising a hand shower for washing the head ofsaid user lying on said mat member, said hand shower having a showerhead connected to an end of a flexible washing liquid feed tubeextending through and protruding from said vessel.
 4. A device asclaimed in claim 1 , wherein said cover member is formed of a foamedresin.
 5. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said vessel has afront detachable section at a location in front of said front wall ofsaid cover member located in said closed position.
 6. A device asclaimed in claim 1 , wherein said cover member has a longitudinallyextendible and shrinkable structure.
 7. A device as claimed in claim 1 ,wherein said mat member includes generally rectangular frame meanshaving a pair of opposing longitudinally extending side frames and apair of opposing front and rear frames, and a net supported by saidframe means for supporting said user thereon.
 8. A device as claimed inclaim 7 , wherein said cover member is pivotally connected to said framemeans.
 9. A device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said cover member ispivotally connected to said rear frame.
 10. A device as claimed in claim1 , further comprising a pair of laterally spaced apart brackets securedto rear portions of said vessel and each provided with a verticallyextending slot, a laterally extending rod inserted in and secured todesired position of said slots, a pair of extendible and retractablesupporting arms each having one end rotatably secured about said rod andthe other end fixed to rear portions of said cover member, so that saidcover member is rotatable about said rod between said open and closedpositions.
 11. A device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising acover supporting frame member including a vertical rod extending fromone corner of said vessel, a lateral rod extending horizontally from atop end of said vertical rod and terminating at the lateral center ofsaid vessel, and a longitudinal rod extending horizontally from saidterminal end of said lateral rod, wherein said cover member islongitudinally divided into halves each rotatably supported by saidlongitudinal rod.
 12. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said topwall member and a pair of side wall members of said cover member form asmooth curved surface having a semicircular cross-section.
 13. A deviceas claimed in claim 12 , wherein said cover member is rotatable about anaxis coinciding with the center of said smooth curved surface betweensaid closed position and said open position where said cover member isreceived in said vessel.
 14. A device as claimed in claim 13 , furthercomprising a pair of drive gears provided adjacent longitudinal endportion of said cover plate, wherein said smooth curved surface has bothlongitudinal ends provided with threads which are meshed with said drivegears, so that said cover member is rotated by rotation of said drivegears.
 15. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least one of saidside wall members of said cover member is provided with at least oneside opening, wherein said side opening is covered with a pair of firstand second flexible sheets overlapping each other, wherein each of saidfirst and second flexible sheets has a periphery supported by an endlessresilient string which in turn is supported with a tension by aplurality of pins fixed along an edge portion of said side opening, sothat an assisting person can insert an arm of said person through theoverlapping portion of said first and second flexible sheets to touchthe user lying on said mat member within said washing chamber even whensaid cover member is in said closed position.
 16. A device as claimed inclaim 1 , further comprising means for supporting and maintaining a legof said user at an elevated position to facilitate the flow of the bloodof said user.
 17. A device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprisingfirst pump means to be connected to a water source for increasing thepressure of water supplied thereto, first controlling means connected tosaid first pump means for controlling the pressure of the water fed fromsaid first pump means, second pump means to be connected to a hot watersource for increasing the pressure of hot water supplied thereto, secondcontrolling means connected to said second pump means for controllingthe pressure of the hot water fed from said second pump means, a mixerconnected to said first and second controlling means for mixing thewater having a controlled pressure with the hot water having acontrolled pressure to obtain warm water having a predeterminedtemperature, and pipe means for feeding the warm water having thepredetermined temperature to said upper and lower nozzles as saidwashing liquid.
 18. A device as claimed in claim 17 , further comprisinga high temperature sensor connected to said pipe means for detecting thetemperature of the warm water, and a shut off valve disposed in saidpipe means and coupled to said high temperature sensor for stopping thepassage of the warm water therethrough when the temperature detected bysaid high temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined temperature.
 19. Adevice as claimed in claim 18 , further comprising a low temperaturesensor connected to said pipe means at a position downstream of saidhigh temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the warm water,and a switching valve disposed in said pipe means and coupled to saidlow temperature sensor for directing the passage of the warm water tosaid plurality of nozzles when the temperature detected by said lowtemperature sensor is not lower than a predetermined temperature and toa discharge side when the temperature detected by said low temperaturesensor is below said predetermined temperature.
 20. A device as claimedin claim 17 , further comprising an automatic discharging valveconnected to said main tube and adapted to automatically operate torelease the warm water from said main tube when the pressure within saidmain tube is below a predetermined pressure.